"Damn it, Katakuri found us!"
Kuma's expression abruptly changed.
This man was the most powerful executive of the Charlotte Family, a monster in terms of strength!
"I'm sorry, Ginny!" Kuma shouted, and his palm was already aiming to strike Ginny.
But then,
Streaks of white mochi, like tentacles, shot out rapidly, instantly binding Kuma's hands and feet from behind, dragging him backward.
"What do you think you're doing?" Charlotte Katakuri chuckled, extending mochi tentacles from his left hand. "I said, no one leaves."
"This is trouble!" Crocodile's mouth twitched.
He apologized for thinking this rescue trip would be too easy and smooth.
But back then, how could he have known that finding this guy named Kuma would be easy, yet the bastard himself would be the problem!
However, at that very moment, Dragon had already transformed into a whirlwind.
This wasn't just a figure of speech; it was literally a gust of wind.
Sharp wind blades instantly sliced towards the mochi tentacles restraining Kuma.
But in the next instant, a black trident tore through the air, directly shattering the whirlwind.
"Hmm?"
Dragon instantly coalesced his form from the whirlwind, his eyes becoming extremely serious.
The Haki wrapped around that trident was extraordinary!
An intangible ripple surrounded the black trident!
That was at least Flowing Emission-grade Armament Haki!
And along with the black lightning sparking off the trident, an invisible Conqueror's aura rippled out!
Conqueror's Haki?
Could it be Conqueror's Haki coating?
No, that couldn't be right; the power level was nowhere near that intense!
"Be careful, Dragon!"
Ivankov had also recognized the identity of the man before them and shouted anxiously. "That's Charlotte Katakuri! The strongest executive of the Charlotte Family!"
During the Charlotte Family's expansion over the past year, this man's performance could only be described as astounding!
Although he still lagged significantly behind the monsters of the Seven Monarch level, he was still a universally acknowledged powerhouse in the New World!
"You're that guy—"
Katakuri looked at Dragon with a considerable degree of surprise. "Dragon the Rebel, from the Freedom Fighters!?"
"How did you guys, who are supposed to be hiding in the North Blue, get involved with this Kuma guy!"
The Freedom Fighters weren't exactly unknown in this world; at the very least, the well-informed Charlotte Family knew of their existence.
"We don't need to explain to you."
Dragon calmly met Katakuri's gaze and said without turning his head, "Iva, Crocodile, get Kuma out first."
"Right!" Crocodile didn't hesitate.
Although he didn't know much about this man called Katakuri, this was Charlotte Linlin's territory. If that woman came rushing over, they would truly have only one path: death.
They had to rely on this stupid bear's ability to escape.
"Ugh..."
Ivankov paused, then shouted, "Kuma! What are you hesitating for!"
Then, Dragon and Crocodile watched as Kuma suddenly gritted his teeth, flexed his arms, and directly snapped the mochi tentacles that bound him.
"Huh?" Crocodile was momentarily stunned.
He could break free after all!
Katakuri wasn't surprised by this.
This guy's strength was actually quite formidable!
Although he didn't use Haki yet, the Bakalia Tribe's naturally tough physique, combined with the "cheat-like" Paw-Paw Fruit, meant that Oven and Daifuku might not even be stronger than him.
But the very moment Kuma broke free from the mochi restraints, the ground suddenly began to churn.
The floor, walls, and ceiling all transformed into white mochi.
The surging mochi ground offered no foothold; it was like quicksand, causing everyone's bodies to instantly begin sinking. Not only that, but huge mochi lumps swelled up simultaneously from the ground, walls, and ceiling, attempting to engulf everyone at once.
Especially Kuma—only the mochi coming for him was covered in black Haki. His hands were instantly bound tightly by the mochi, forcefully clamping his fingers shut and completely preventing him from using his ability!
"Hey! What is this?"
Crocodile's body immediately transformed into yellow sand, breaking free from the mochi's restraint. He looked at the distorted surroundings. "Everything has been assimilated by his ability?"
"It's Awakening!"
Dragon also turned into the wind, rushing towards Katakuri like a gale. "A phenomenon that only occurs when the mind and body catch up to the Devil Fruit! A Paramecia's Awakening can affect the external environment!"
However, Charlotte Katakuri was only nineteen years old, wasn't he?
At such a young age, his Haki had reached this level, and his ability had even Awakened?
If not for Roa and the equally exceptional monsters under his command, this man would undoubtedly be the most talented pirate of the younger generation!
To escape successfully, they had to repel him!
Dragon showed no mercy, his right arm already transforming into a frantic tornado. "Storm Dragon King!"
"I told you, none of you are getting away!" Katakuri's smile was wild.
Over the past year, he had led his siblings into battle across countless territories, experiencing innumerable fierce fights, and the Mochi-Mochi Fruit's Awakening was completed during these battles.
And these countless victories had made Katakuri fearless of anyone!
The mochi surged, further restraining Kuma, Ginny, and Ivankov.
At the same time, Katakuri's right arm melted and encased the long handle of his trident. Then, his arm suddenly began to spin rapidly.
In the next moment, facing the charging Dragon, Katakuri abruptly thrust his trident forward.
His right arm, which had been wound up to its limit like a clock spring, instantly spun like a power drill along with the trident. The speed of the spin was likely no less than Dragon's whirlwind-like right arm.
"Mochi Drill Stab!"
The black trident drill and the black fist drill suddenly collided.
As black lightning exploded, a fierce shockwave burst forth.
In the next instant, Katakuri's figure, which was much larger than Dragon's, suddenly stumbled backward.
"What?"
Brûlée, standing behind Katakuri, gasped in disbelief. "Big Brother Katakuri was repelled!"
That was the invincible Big Brother Katakuri, the strongest in the family besides Mama!
Katakuri's eyes also showed a hint of surprise.
This guy is indeed powerful!
He's slightly stronger than I am right now!
"Hmph!"
Dragon's expression didn't change. In an instant, a gale surged, and streaks of wind blades began to tear through the mochi that bound the others.
Kuma, Ivankov, and Ginny finally regained their freedom.
"Now, Kuma!" Dragon growled.
Since Kuma absolutely refused to leave, at the very least, the people who came this time must leave this island successfully!
Kuma gritted his teeth slightly. He clapped his right hand against the air beside him, and his huge body appeared instantly in front of Ginny as if he had teleported.
His left hand was already poised to strike down.
"Not a chance!" Katakuri raised his left hand.
The assimilated mochi ground surged again, forming tentacles at the critical moment, binding Kuma's arms and dragging him backward.
Then, just as Kuma was about to exert force to break free,
"Kuma, think about my little brother or sister," Katakuri said, taking his time. "If you let these guys go now, what kind of treatment will they receive in the future?"
Kuma's body suddenly froze.
Then, a massive amount of mochi took advantage of the opportunity, enveloping him again, turning him into a mochi dumpling.
"I guess we have to take care of this troublesome guy to have any chance of escaping!"
Yellow sand suddenly converged diagonally above Katakuri. Crocodile was smart, knowing not to get too close to a Haki master like Katakuri.
"Dragon, attack together! Desert Spada!"
With a flick of Crocodile's right hand, a blade of yellow sand slashed toward Katakuri.
But Katakuri completely ignored it, still charging straight at Dragon.
The blade of sand couldn't keep up with his speed and just passed him by.
Then, it slashed fiercely onto a mirror.
"Reflect!" Brûlée hugged a mirror, smiling gleefully.
Huh?
Before Crocodile could even react to what happened, his sand blade was bounced directly back, and the result was that his body was sliced apart.
"What?" Crocodile exclaimed.
What kind of ability does this woman have?
At the same time, Katakuri and Dragon had resumed their clash.
"Dream Impact Fists!"
Ivankov's hands spun like a storm, continuously pounding the mochi dumpling restraining Kuma.
The resilient mochi was smashed open.
Kuma was free again!
Simultaneously, Katakuri was repelled by a punch from Dragon.
"We win!" Ivankov shouted.
But,
Katakuri curled his lips into a smile.
"Where are the naughty children!!"
A wild laugh suddenly descended from the sky, and a figure abruptly crashed down.
The moment Kuma heard that voice, his body stiffened.
It only took that one frozen instant for everything to be over.
One massive hand suddenly grabbed Kuma's shoulder and pulled him back, while the other hand delivered a punch that sent Ivankov flying.
It was flying in the literal sense. Ivankov was like a cannonball, his large face directly caved in, spinning and flying away as blood sprayed.
However, he didn't fly far before he was tightly bound by the surging mochi.
"This is bad!" Dragon's forehead was beaded with cold sweat.
They had dragged on for too long—the monster had arrived!
"That person is," Crocodile, who flew to Dragon's side, stared blankly at the colossal figure.
"One of the New World's Seven Monarchs, Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin?"
"Mamamama!"
Charlotte Linlin looked down at Kuma, whose shoulder she had grabbed. "Kuma, my husband, are you trying to run away?"
Kuma hadn't spoken yet.
"Let Kuma-boy go!!"
Ginny, who had been staring blankly at the sudden appearance of Charlotte Linlin, instantly roared and charged over.
Her furious appearance was like a wronged partner catching the scoundrel in the act of NTR (Netorare).
Ahem, no, not like. It was the act.
Then,
Charlotte Linlin merely reached out casually, grabbing Ginny's head and lifting her up.
"Mamamama! Your pink hair is quite nice, just like mine!"
After examining Ginny, Charlotte Linlin's eyes, full of curiosity, turned to Kuma. "So Kuma, are you betraying me for this woman?"
"What betrayal!"
Ginny felt her head was about to be crushed, but the pain only further ignited the rage in her heart. "Kuma-boy was always mine! You shameless woman stole him! Kuma-boy doesn't love you at all!"
"Love?"
Charlotte Linlin burst into laughter as if she had heard the world's most excellent joke. "What is that? Little girl, are you trying to make me laugh?"
"Listen well. Anything I want can only belong to me! That is the rule of this country!"
"I want this man because he can give me Bakalia Tribe children! And because he himself is a powerful fighting force!"
"My desire is all that matters! Whether he likes me or not, what does that have to do with me!"
This is truly the ultimate female boss.
Ginny instantly broke down. "Kuma-boy..."
But it wasn't because of herself.
It was because: Kuma-boy, how much suffering have you endured with this woman?
"Let them go! Charlotte Linlin! You can ask Katakuri! I never planned to escape!"
Kuma endured Charlotte Linlin's immense grip, which was practically crushing his shoulder blades, and roared, "I am willing to serve you, so let them go!"
"Mamamama! You want me to let go of the idiots who came to cause trouble on my territory? Where would that leave my face?"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "However, I surprisingly don't dislike your naivety!"
"I said, let them go!"
Kuma's tone became increasingly intense. "Ultimately, you only want my ability! If you don't let them go, I will kill myself!"
"Oh! That's scary." Katakuri clicked his tongue.
However, even such a drastic threat was being used as leverage with his own life?
You, Kuma!
But unfortunately, this kind of threat wouldn't work on Mama.
"Mamamama! Since they're so important to you, then I certainly can't let them go!"
Charlotte Linlin grinned. "Listen well, Kuma. If you die, I will have them all buried with you!"
Kuma's eyes instantly constricted.
Katakuri shook his head with a touch of helplessness.
When it came to threats, how could Kuma, full of weaknesses, possibly compete with the iron-hearted Mama?
"Dragon, what do we do now?" Crocodile lowered his voice.
"Run! Get out if you can!" Dragon's forehead was slick with cold sweat.
He was very self-aware. At least right now, Charlotte Linlin was absolutely not someone he could handle!
At twenty-six years old, his strength was already outstanding among the younger generation, but he was absolutely no match for this monster!
Not to mention, there was still Katakuri, who was only slightly less powerful than her!
"Run?"
Charlotte Linlin, one hand gripping each person, turned back with interest. "Where do you think you can run to?"
Boom!
Behind her, Hera, the black thundercloud, and Prometheus, the swollen ball of fire, both showed wicked expressions.
However, just at that moment,
"Hmm?" Katakuri suddenly looked up.
In the sky, two black dots were rapidly falling.
"Mama! The sky!" Katakuri, whose Observation Haki was already stronger than his mother's, called out a warning.
Charlotte Linlin abruptly looked up. The next instant, her brows deeply furrowed. "Why are those two here!"
The two figures falling from the sky suddenly stopped mid-air.
One was flapping wings to stay afloat, and the other's lower body had turned into jets spewing gas for flight.
Dragon's eyes instantly lit up.
They're here!
I knew that guy would never just stand by!
"Silver Bullet and Demon Descendant King,"
Katakuri planted his trident on the ground, looking up at the two figures in the sky with some surprise. "Why are Roa's subordinates here on Whole Cake Island?"
Surely they didn't also come for Kuma?
But wasn't it Roa who told Mama where Kuma was?
Bullet and King!
Crocodile also recognized these two major executives under Roa, and he instantly turned back to Dragon in disbelief.
Did Roa really send people to interfere?
"Mamamama! King! You little brat actually delivered yourself to my door!"
Charlotte Linlin didn't care about anything else. Her eyes blazed as she looked up at King, who was floating on his vibrating wings. "Now that I have the Bakalia Tribe, the Lunarian Tribe is indeed next on the agenda!"
"Boss said that Dragon's story shouldn't end here."
King didn't care about Charlotte Linlin's crude remark, speaking calmly. "Please let them leave, Charlotte Linlin."
"Hmm?"
Charlotte Linlin was genuinely stunned for a moment.
Judging by his words, did that smelly brat Roa have a connection with the Freedom Fighters?
Why is he everywhere!
But that wasn't important right now.
"Mamamama! So, where is that little brat now?"
Charlotte Linlin's smile instantly became dangerous. "Tell him to get out here! Is he trying to give me orders?"
"Boss did not come. Only the two of us are here."
King said calmly. "Charlotte Linlin, we are merely here to relay Boss's intent."
"Wow, that brat Roa..." Katakuri twitched his mouth.
He was intentionally making Mama angry.
Sure enough,
Veins instantly bulged on Charlotte Linlin's forehead. She casually threw the Kuma and Ginny she was holding behind her. "Katakuri!"
"Yes, Mama."
Katakuri darted out knowingly, pinning Kuma down while locking Ginny to the ground with two blades of his trident skimming her neck.
"Don't move, everyone," he said with a smile.
Kuma gritted his teeth.
Dragon gritted his teeth.
Crocodile gritted his teeth.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Linlin had shot into the air, charging straight towards the two figures. "That stinking brat is looking down on me, so you two little brats will stay here! Wait for that bastard Roa to come and claim you himself!"
Bullet and King exchanged a look, and King shrugged helplessly.
"Hahahaha! It was about time!"
Bullet laughed loudly and plunged down. His right fist rapidly swelled, instantly transforming into a massive blackened heavy punch with a diameter of over fifty meters.
At the same time, King flapped his wings and chased after him. He had already put on his Tengu mask. The deep green flames on the Shodai Kitetsu in his hand surged, fueled by the swirling gale.
"Mamamama! You two little brats, do you really think you're Roa?"
Charlotte Linlin's fists were both wrapped in dual-colored Haki as she slammed them into the two figures descending from the sky. "You suicidal fools!"
Thus,
Boom!
The two collision sounds occurred with practically no interval. The fierce clash produced an unprecedentedly violent shockwave. The rapidly swelling and expanding air instantly pulverized the street below.
At the same time, a black figure suddenly plummeted.
Thud!
Charlotte Linlin abruptly hit the ground, and the area she landed on instantly spread out a massive, spiderweb-like crack a hundred meters wide.
"What?" Katakuri's jaw dropped in shock.
Brûlée, who was nearly blown away behind him, was even more dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at Bullet and King, who had stabilized themselves in the sky.
"They, they, they blocked Mama's attack!!!"
How is that possible!
If it was Roa, it would be one thing, but these guys were just executives under Roa!
Dragon also couldn't help but gasp.
Last year, the strength of either of these two guys was merely on par with his own, but back then, they had teamed up and brutally beat him up.
But now, the strength of either one of them already surpassed his own, didn't it?
So young, yet possessing such immense talent.
Are the subordinates of a monster also monsters?
"You two!!"
Charlotte Linlin's face changed drastically, instantly becoming extremely ferocious. "Are you still trying to act arrogant in front of me?"
Her hand was already reaching towards the hat on her head.
But simultaneously, King spoke calmly again. "Stop, Charlotte Linlin. Boss does not wish to start a war with the Charlotte Family."
"The Freedom Fighters are still useful to Boss, so he sent us here. If you are still angry, please don't worry. Boss has already punished them for you."
Dragon's heart immediately sank.
Punishment?
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